Bubble Trouble

Sue Doe NimbSue Doe Nimb Alum Member
in General 183 karma

Hi everyone!
I know this is not a new topic, but please indulge me nonetheless. I've had back to back Prep Tests with a misbubbled answer choice...not the way you want to lose points. I've tried to sub-vocalize as I write down answers, but I guess it isn't working. Any thoughts as how to minimize bubbling errors? To clarify, I currently bubble two pages at a time (each page is marked on the answer sheet in separate glances at the test book).
Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • Kermit750Kermit750 Alum Member
    2124 karma

    Bubbling errors are the worst! When you subvocalize do you state the question number and corresponding answer choice? Otherwise, maybe try to bubble after a page.

  • Sue Doe NimbSue Doe Nimb Alum Member
    183 karma

    Thanks Kermit750. I think saying the question number would just complicate matters more. One page at a time may be the way to go. However, the omniscient JY said we shouldn't do that!

  • MissChanandlerMissChanandler Alum Member Sage ⭐
    3256 karma

    I always bubble after a game, after an RC passage, and before I have to turn the page in LR. I’m also terrified of bubbling errors. It might be a few seconds slower to do fewer questions at once, but I think it’s worth it!

  • Watermelon OtterWatermelon Otter Alum Member
    345 karma

    Personally, bubbling one page at a time for LR worked pretty well for me. Since each page only contains a handful of questions, I found it easy to subvocalize the letter ACs and then bubble them in order quickly and with no mistakes. Even if I had to skip a question I would just choose some AC and bubble it just in case I couldn't return to it. For LG and RC I would bubble after every game/passage to keep my momentum going during it.

  • hawaiihihawaiihi Free Trial Member
    978 karma

    @MissChanandler said:
    I always bubble after a game, after an RC passage, and before I have to turn the page in LR. I’m also terrified of bubbling errors. It might be a few seconds slower to do fewer questions at once, but I think it’s worth it!

    I do EXACTLY this and it works really well. The only errors I've made was at the end of a PT section where I forgot to bubble that last page.

  • jhbm_nycjhbm_nyc Alum Member
    edited August 2018 568 karma

    In one of the live commentary videos, JY advised bubbling after each two-page spread, with your right hand bubbling in the scantron and your left hand pointing directly to the question you're bubbling in (if you're right-handed; vice versa if left-handed).

    I've found this to be the best way to bubble. I bubble 2 questions at a time (1 at a time becomes too tedious, and with 3 at a time I've made bubbling errors). It's fast, accurate, and allows you to take deep breaths with each page turn.

    For questions I skip, I put a slash on a letter in the scantron to remind myself to come back later. By the 30-minute mark, I make sure every question has a bubble filled in.

  • Sue Doe NimbSue Doe Nimb Alum Member
    183 karma

    @jhbm_nyc thanks for the tip! Have been doing approximately 4 answers per a glance at the test, could be the culprit of my bubbling mistakes.

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